Objective: To observe the clinical effects of moxibustion at abdominal acupoints for slow transit constipation (STC) due to yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney. Methods: A total of 52 cases with slow transit constipation in conformity with the inclusion criteria were selected and divided into a control group and an observation group according to their visit order and random digital table, 26 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received routine nursing guide. Besides the same routine nursing guide, patients in the observation group received moxibustion at the abdominal acupoints, once every day. The course of the treatment was 4 weeks in the two groups, and the 3-month follow-up was given after the course was finished, for comparing the clinical symptoms, results of colon transit tests, scores of depression/anxiety scale and nursing satisfaction. Results: The total effective rate was 92.3% in the observation group and 69.2% in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups. After the treatment and during the follow-up checks, the scores of Chinese medical symptoms in the two groups were remarkably decreased than those before the treatment (all P<0.01); the scores of the observation group were obviously lower than those in the control group (all P<0.01). The discharge rates of the markers in the two groups were remarkably increased than those at the same time period before the treatment; moreover, the discharge rates of the markers at various time periods were remarkably better in the observation group than those in the control group (P<0.01). SDS and SAS scores were remarkably decreased after the treatment in the two groups (P<0.01). In comparison of SDS score between the two groups after the treatment, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). In comparison of SAS score between the two groups after the treatment, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The nursing satisfaction was 96.2% in the observation group after the treatment, obviously better than that in the control group (73.1%). The recurrence rate was 8.3% in the observation group, remarkably lower than that in the control group (33.3%). Conclusion: Moxibustion at the abdominal acupoints plus routine nursing can remarkably improve the colon transit functions and anxious and depressive emotion in patients with STC, and the therapeutic effects are remarkable. Not only the clinical satisfaction is higher, but the recurrence rate is obviously lower than that of routine nursing.

Objective: To investigate the effect of taurine on learning and memory impairment, cytokines secretion in rats intrahippocampally injected with ?-amyloid (A?) 1-40. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into control group, A? injected group, taurine (0.3g/kg?d, 0.6g/kg?d) groups. The rats were fed with taurine for 7 days, and then subjected to bilateral intrahippocampus injection of A?1-40 or vehicle. Two weeks later, all rats performed Morris water maze test. The contents of IL-6, TNF-? were checked by way of radio-immunity assay for hippocampus samples. Results: Compared with A?model group, the escape latency and distance were significantly reduced in taurine (0.6g/kg?d) group; the ratio of swimming distance in the target quadrant to that in the whole pool of the probe trial; the content of cytokines of IL-6 and TNF-?in hippocampus were reduced significantly. Conclusion: Taurine can effectively attenuate the cognitive dysfunction caused by A?1-40 in rats. The reduced cytokines content in hippocampus might contribute to this effect.

Objective To determine the agreement of interobserver and intraobserver in diagnosing early glaucoma by optic disc morphology,and to explore the efficacy of established methods for evaluating glaucomatous optic discs.Design Prospective study. Participants Clinicians and evaluating methods for glaucomatous optic discs.Methods 120 digital fundus photographs were enrolled including early glaucoma eyes(67 cases)and non-glaucoma eyes but with glaucomatous appearance(53 cases),which were collected in Tongren Hospital.Thirteen ophthalmologists as observers were divided into three groups:GroupⅠ(5 clinicians)were trained with stan- dardized methods for evaluating glaucomatous optic disc damage recently.GroupⅡ(4 clinicians)were ophthalmologists majoring in glaucoma.GroupⅢwere ophthalmologists not specializing in glaucoma.In general groupⅡandⅢ,none had been trained with the es- tablished criteria.Observers evaluated the photos 3 times,with an interval time of 3 days.Kappa statistics were used to evaluate agree- ment between the intraobserver and interobserver.Main Outcome Measures Interobserver and intraobserver agreement,kappa value. Results In GroupⅠ,4 clinicians were in almost perfect agreement,1 clinician was in substantial agreement,kappa value ranging from 0.779(90.0%)to 0.966(98.3%).In GroupⅡ,almost perfect agreement occurred in 2 clinicians,substantial in 1 clinician and moderate in 1 clinician,kappa value ranging from 0.506(82.5%)to 0.866(93.3%).In GroupⅢ,the agreements in 4 clinicians were substantial, moderate,fair,and slight,respectively,kappa value ranging from 0.094(54.2%)to 0.778(89.2%).In term of interobserver agreement for glaucoma diagnosis,kappa values in GroupⅠranged from 0.768 to 0.983,in GroupⅡ0.354-0.834,in GroupⅢ0.335-0.737,respec- tively.Conclusions Intraobserver and interobserver agreement rates in early glaucoma diagnosis are substantially improved through training on optic disc morphologic evaluation methods.Establishing the diagnosis criteria for glaucomatous optic disc damage can raise the correct rate of diagnosis.

Objective To study on the metal clip installation to avoid post-operative bleeding in pa- tients accepted papilla sphinctecotomy.Methods One hundred and eighty five patients who accepted ERCP +EST were divided into two groups:Group 1 was given routine regimen alone(N=95),group 2,given routine regimen and metal clip to prevent post-operative bleeding.Results The postoperative bleeding hap- pened in 3(3.2%)cases of Group 1 and none in Group 2,there is significant difference between these two groups(P＜0.05).The breeding cases in group 1 were controlled by metal clip under endoscopy successful- ly.Conclusion Preventive usage of metal clip was significantly decreased the incidence of post-operative bleeding in EST patients.

In this study, we developed a novel liposome-silica hybrid nano-carrier for tumor combination therapy via oral route, using paclitaxel and cyclosporine as a model drug pair. Optimization of the preparation of the drug-loading formulation and characterization of its physicochemical parameters and drug release profile were performed in vitro. Then in vivo pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics studies were performed. The results showed that the obtained formulation has a small particle size (mean diameter of 100.2 +/- 15.2 nm), a homogeneous distribution [the polydispersity index was (0.251 +/- 0.018)] and high encapsulation efficiency (90.15 +/- 2.47) % and (80.64 +/- 3.52) % for paclitaxel and cyclosporine respectively with a mild and easy preparation process. A sequential drug release trend of cyclosporine prior to palictaxel was observed. The liposome-silica hybrid nano-carrier showed good biocompatibility in vivo and co-delivery of cyclosporine and paclitaxel significantly enhanced the oral absorption of paclitaxel with improved anti-tumor efficacy, suggesting a promising approach for multi-drug therapy against tumor and other serious diseases via oral route.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Biological Availability ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Female ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Particle Size ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sarcoma 180 ; pathology ; Silicon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

BACKGROUND: Edaravone can alleviate brain injury and improve neurological functions and symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the effect of edaravone on the p38Mitogen-activated protein kinases/Caspase-3 (p38MAPK /Caspase-3) pathway after diffuse brain injury (DBI) in rats. METHODS: DBI models were established according to the description of Marmarou's method. A total of 250 rats were divided (random number) into four groups: control group (CG, n=45), model group (MG, n=77), low-dose edaravone group (n=67, dosage 5 mg/kg) and high-dose edaravone group (n=61, dosage 10 mg/kg). After 1, 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours after injury, brain tissues were collected. The changes of neuron morphous in the hippocampal region were observed through Nissl staining. The expression levels of phosphorylated p38MAPK and caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting respectively. Learning and memory function were tested with Morris water maze from the 3rd to 7th day after injury. RESULTS: Some neurons had histopathologic changes of necrosis and apoptosis in the model group compared with the control group. The phosphorylated p38MAPK expressions increased at 1, 6, 4, and 48 hours (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed at 72 hours (0.54±0.19 vs. 0.40±0.14, P>0.05). Caspase-3 expressions increased at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours respectively (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at 1 hour (0.59±0.29 vs. 0.40±0.17, P>0.05). From the 3rd to 6th day during the Morris water maze test, the latency to find the platform was significantly prolonged (P<0.05) and times of rats crossing the platform was decreased on the 7th day (2.28±1.18 vs. 8.20±1.52, P<0.05). The phosphorylated p38MAPK expressions decreased at 6, 24 and 48 hours respectively in the low dose edaravone group compared with the model group (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was seen at 1 hour (1.66±0.80 vs. 1.85±0.86, P>0.05). Caspase-3 expression decreased at 6, 24, 48, and 72 hours (P<0.05). The latency to find the platform was significantly shortened (P<0.05), and times of rats crossing the platform increased (4.17±1.15 vs. 2.28±1.18, P<0.05). The above mentioned parameters changed more significantly in the high-dose edaravone group than in the low-dose edaravone group. CONCLUSION: Edaravone can alleviate brain tissue damage after DBI, inhibit p38MAP signal activation after early injury, reduce the expression of caspase-3, and promote the recovery of neurological function in the late period.

Objective To characterize the antibiotic resistance,homology and carbapenemase genotypes of imipenem resistant Acinetobac1ter baumannii isolated from our hospital,and analyze the clonal relatedness of the test strains.Methods Ninety five strains of imipenem resistant A.baumannii were isolated from August 2003 to December 2004 in the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine,Zhejiang University.The MICs of 16 antimicrobial agents against these strains were determined by agar dilution and E-test method.The homology of these isolates was analyzed by pulse-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE).The coding gene of carbapenemases was amplified.PCR products were purified,cloned and sequenced.Plasmid DNA was extracted and purified.Conjugation and Southern blot were performed to locate the position of oxa 23 gene.Results The resistance rates to ampicillin-sulbactam and cefoperazone sulhactam were 67.9% and 30.2%.Polymyxin E had the lowest resistance rate of 17%. The resistance rate to other antimicrobial agents was higher than 90%.The 95 strains,isolated from 10 clinical units,were classified into 6 clones.Clones A and B were predominant clones.All strains produced carbapenemases which were confirmed as OXA 23 by PCR and sequencing analysis.No plasmid was extracted and conjugation was not successful.Southern bolt showed that oxa-23 gene was located on Apal-digested chromosomal segments about 220 kb and 200 kb in Clones A and B,re spectively.Conclusions OXA 23-producing A.baumannii has become one of the most important multi-resistant pathogens in our hospital.Clones A and B have widely spread in our hospital.Oxa-23 gene is located on chromosomal DNA.

Objective To investigate the resistant mechanism of imipenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.Methods The minimal inhibitive concentrations (MICs) of the antimicrobial agents were determined by Etest.Isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (IEF),plasmid extraction,conjugation, transformation,PCR amplification,cloning and sequencing were carried out for analyzing the encoding gene of ?-1actamases.Results Three kinds of ?-1actamases were detected with pIs of 7.2,6.7,and 5.4.in a clinical strain of K.pneumoniae.These ?-1actamases were TEM-I (pI,5.4),SHV-12 (pI,8.2) and KPC-2 ( pI,6.7 ) confirmed by sequencing of the PCR products.Only one band of ?-1actamase with pI 6.7 was displayed in the transformant.A 1500 bp segment,which contained the KPC-2 gene confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis,was cloned from a 60 000 bp plasmid of the transformant.Conclusion The strain of K.pneumoniae resistant to imipenem produces a plasmid-mediated carbapenemase KPC-2 which belongs to Bush group 2f,class A ?-1actamase.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of oral Propranolol in the treatment of infantile subglottic hemangioma.

METHODSEleven children (6 females and 5 males) with a median age at onset of treatment being 4 months were included in this study. Propranolol was given after laryngoscopy and a CT scan with contrast of the trachea confirming the presence of a subglottic hemangioma. The starting dose of Propranolol was 0.5 mg/kg per day, given in 2 or 3 divided doses. Heart rate and blood glucose were monitored during the treatment. If no side effects occurred, the dose was increased to 1 mg/kg per day at the third day and to 2 mg/kg per day at the sixth day. Treatment was continued at home after 10 days of inpatient treatment and the children were reevaluated monthly.

RESULTSAfter 24 - 48 hours of treatment, all of the children had improvement in their airway obstruction which was confirmed by fibro-laryngoscopy. The diameter of the subglottic stenosis from the hemangioma decreased from 3.9 - 5.0 mm to 1.5 - 2.0 mm,and the color was also lighter than before. In 3 children with cutaneous hemangioma, there was also significant improvement in the cutaneous lesions after treatment, with the color becoming lighter. There were no significant ECG, blood pressure or blood biochemical changes during the treatment. Two of the children had hypoglycemia at the first dose, but improved after blood transfusion and changing their diet. In five children, the treatment was stopped after 6 to 11 months when the obstructive symptoms improved. None of the children in this group had any evidence of recurrence. In the 5 children who stopped treatment, the obstructing mass in the subglottis was less than 10% of the diameter.

CONCLUSIONOral propranolol is a safe and effective treatment for infantile subglottic hemangioma. It may be used as a first-line therapeutic modality.

Female ; Glottis ; Hemangioma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Propranolol ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To construct and express the recombinant plasmid pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32 of Schistosoma japonicum(Sj) in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Methods Total RNA was extracted from Sj adult worms by ultrasound-breaking, Sj26GST and Sj32 antigen gene was respectively amplified by RT-PCR from the total RNA; Sj26GST-Sj32 fusion gene obtained with gene splicing by overlap extension(SOEing) was cloned into prokaryotic expression plasmid pET28α and transformed into Escherichia coli BL2 (DE3) to construct pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32;BL21 (pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32) was induced with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranosid (IPTG), and the expressed products were analyzed and identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electropheresis (SDS-PAGE)and Western blotting. Results The 1991 bp Sj26GST-Sj32 fusion gene was successfully amplified by gene SOEing and cloned into pET28α by restriction analysis and PCR identification, the recombinant plasmid pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32 was successfully constructed; the relative molecular mass of the expressed recombinant protein was approximately 69 × 103 by SDS-PAGE, and the amount of the expressed protein was 25% of the total bacterial proteins; the fusion protein could be recognized by sera from rabbits infected with Sj by Western blotting.Conclusions The recombinant plasmid pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32 is successfully constructed and highly expressed in Escherichia coli in fused form with His-tag, and the expressed fusion protein shows specific antigenicity.